New full-color guide to the Boise River provides details on navigating the river from Lucky Peak to Parma

Adam Bass, right, with Chel and the new Boise River guide.

Hi all, 

Just when we're seeing more and more people floating non-traditional sections of the Boise River in rafts, canoes, stand-up paddle boards and inner tubes, the Boise River Enhancement Network (BREN) has produced a new guidebook for the Boise River, providing details on navigating the river from Lucky Peak to Parma. 

Adam Bass is the author of the full-color, waterproof guide. BREN had a little party at Idaho River Sports on Wednesday night to celebrate the launch of the new guide. The spiral-bound guide is available for sale for $35 retail.

Tom "Chel" Chelstrom wrote the first detailed guide to the Boise River in the mid-1990s, and updated it five times over the years.

"My first printing of “Canoeing the Boise river” served to jump start our community’s awareness of the recreation opportunities beyond Barber Park to Ann Morrison," Chel says. "I am delighted that Adam has incorporated some of that early work and made a much more detailed, user-friendly guidebook.

"The book is a great tribute to the efforts of so many people to improve access and information about the river. Shout out to IRU, Boise River 2000, the Boise River Trails Coalition and Boise River Enhancement Network for 25 years of great work!"

Here's Drew on the Boise River with his friend Jenny McIntosh.

Adam Bass said this about the book:

"The Guidebook introduces river users to the beautiful plants and fascinating wildlife of the lower Boise River as well as the natural and human-created hazards. Experienced boaters can use the Guidebook to safely explore our backyard treasure and become ambassadors for a healthy river." 

In the introduction, Bass writes "The Boise River flows nearly 70 miles from Discovery Park, just below Lucky Peak Dam east of Boise, to its confluence with the Snake River west of Parma. The river provides wonderful paddling opportunities and scenic views over its entire length. There are many accesses and most are easily reached on major roads, which make for simple shuttles."

They break the river down into the following sections: 

• Lucky Peak to Barber Park 
• Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park 
• Glenwood to Eagle Road - South Channel 
• Glenwood to Eagle Road - North Channel 
• Eagle Road to Linder - South Channel 
• Eagle Road to Linder - North Channel 
• Star Road to Lansing Lane 
• Middleton Road to Wittenberger Park 
• Wittenberger Park to Notus 
• Notus to Parma 
• Parma to Fort Boise  

Each section has notes on put-ins and takeouts, hazards or points of interest, wildlife you might see along the way, etc.

BE SMART AND SAFE OUT THERE! 

Try to scout unfamiliar sections of the river before you go, or at least hazards that you expect to encounter such as irrigation diversions. The best advice is to "scout" any hazards before floating them. 

The guidebook says, "Paddling on rivers is never completely safe. Develop your skills on lakes, paddle within your ability, and always wear a properly fitted PFD (life jacket). You are responsible for your safety while paddling and only you can judge the suitability of the Boise River for your skill level."

Also ... "Keep other river users in mind," Bass says. "If you plan a trip through town, keep in mind other floaters. If you plan a trip downstream of Eagle Road, keep in mind potential
waterfowl hunters. Always be aware of fishermen."

Truth be told, Chel approached me about printing a guidebook on the Boise River when he was researching all of the different sections of the river shortly after I had published my first edition of "Paddling the Payette," a guide to 24 day trips on all forks of the Payette River. At the time, I didn't think there would be much of a market for a canoeing guide to the Boise River ... because it was a very small small number of people who do that type of thing. 

But now that SUPs and sit-on-top kayaks are commonplace on the Boise River -- and full-sized rafts with anglers on board -- there definitely is a need for a detailed guide about the more unsung sections of the Boise River, in my view. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - Be sure to check water levels on the Boise River before you go ... check the Idaho river flows page to get the latest flows, such as the gauge in Caldwell: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13211205&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010

Be sure to bring plenty of food and water with you. Wear good river shoes/sandals for navigating around hazardous areas. 

And have fun!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR IDAHO CITY YURTS! 

Hey folks, Idaho Parks and Recreation is having a hard time recruiting volunteers for stocking up the Idaho City yurts with fresh firewood and other things for the winter season. Contact Steve Schaps, thewildwestguy@gmail.com if you'd like to help out.

August 11-12 - Skyline Yurt organized by Brian McMahan. Meeting at 7:45 am at the Idaho Parks and Rec office on Warm Springs Road.  Carpooling available.

August 17-18 - Hennessey Yurt organized by Leo Hennessey himself. Meeting at the yurt at 9-10 am. 

August 30-31 - Elkhorn Yurt organized by me (Steve Schaps) meeting at the Parks and Rec office on Warm Springs Road at 7:45 am. Carpooling available.

August 31-Sept 1 - Banner Ridge Yurt organized by Julie Rittenberry. 

Please spread the word to your friends. Thanks!
- SS 

New guidelines for whitewater boating during COVID-19, plus Redfish camprounds in the Sawtooth NRA open Friday

Quinn Stuebner nails the chute in Tappan Falls on the Middle Fork Salmon River

Hi all,

It's been good to see the number of new coronavirus cases declining in Idaho, allowing Gov. Little to continue re-opening the state to larger group gatherings of up to 10-50 people as of May 30. That's going to allow Idaho's river outfitters to take larger groups rafting this summer on day trips on the Payette River and also on week-long vacations on the famed Middle Fork of the Salmon River and Salmon River - River of No Return. 

Before I get into the details on that stuff, I saw a news release from the Sawtooth National Forest, announcing that more campgrounds are opening up on Friday, June 5th, including the super popular Redfish Lake campgrounds, Stanley Lake campgrounds, Grand Jean campground and more. Here's a list of what's opening tomorrow. Go to recreation.gov to reserve sites.

FYI - Here's a guidance protocol document about safe camping practices that's been approved by state health authorities. Link to US Forest Service interactive statewide map on recreation sites open/closed.    

Another nugget in the governor's May 30 order is that a ban on non-essential travel has been lifted. That's good news for people who are ready to get out of town after living in a cocoon since mid-March. 

Drew clowns around with his friend Jenny on the Boise River last summer.

Now that it's warming up, people will be flocking to do day trips on the Payette River and Boise River, just as they're flocking to popular spots in Boise like Quinn's pond, the Boise Whitewater Park and Esther Simplot Park. Friday is going to be in the mid-90s, and then the weather looks really wet and crummy this weekend, but it will be warming up again next week. 

The state's easing of restrictions is timed well to accommodate peeps who are ready to hit the water for summer recreation. But just as a reminder, as things open up more, and we see more congestion around the water, it will be incumbent on all of us to use best practices to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

To that end, I'd recommend carrying masks and wearing them in heavily congested areas at river-launch sites and takeouts. Everyone will have their own opinions and tolerances for how much congestion they are comfortable with.

Signature pic passing under the Rainbow Bridge on the Cabarton section, North Fork Payette River

BTW, I checked in with Ada County Parks & Waterways officials, and they are planning on having a float season on the Boise River at Barber Park with equipment rental and shuttles. No opening date has been set, as yet! But watch for an announcement soon. In the meantime, people can launch their own boats at Barber Park at any time. Be aware the Boise River is running at only 600 cfs ... so it's pretty low flow, and rocks, trees and other debris in the river and on shore could present a hazard.  

Idaho Health & Welfare officials have approved the following guidelines for private groups who are going kayaking or rafting on Idaho's rivers:

• Solo boats are OK - Stand-up paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, single-person rowing a raft, etc.
• Ideally, go with small groups with immediate family or room-mates that have been living together.
• If you go with a mixed group of friends, drive separately to the put-in. Go downriver in separate boats, if possible.  
• Try to put family members in the same paddle boat; or room-mates in the same paddle boat.
• Shuttles: Do your own shuttle ideally
• Have a friend do your shuttle vs. hiring a shuttle service, if possible.
• Wear cloth face coverings while on the water (masks are not recommended in the water).
• Wipe down and disinfect high-touch surfaces before and after the trip. 
• Sanitize your vehicle before driving it; sanitize your vehicle after a shuttle driver has used it. 
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. 
• Wash your hands before and after your trip. 

On June 3, Gov. Little's office released new COVID-19 guidelines and recommended protocols for outfitted businesses in Idaho, as they have done for a variety of businesses in recent weeks. You can click on the link to read the document in detail. In essence, the guidance recommends that outfitters put a variety of protocols in place at their place of business to ensure 6-foot social distancing, having hand-sanitizer handy for employees and guests, take steps to ensure employees are healthy, etc.

Weeping waterfall at Veil Falls, Middle Fork Impassible Canyon

By easing group sizes to up to 50 people, Idaho's outfitters that typically take large groups of 24 guests on the Middle Fork or Main Salmon rivers will be allowed to do so along with licensed guides who lead the trips.

The outfitting guidance also allows flexibility for outfitters to run paddle boats with mixed groups of people on the river.

I have a gut feeling that some people from out of state may cancel their outfitted river trips in Idaho this summer because of their own personal finances, challenges or anxiety about airline travel, anxiety about being around large groups on the river trip, or other issues.

Hence, it might be a good year for Idaho residents to do a Middle Fork, Main Salmon, Hells Canyon or Selway river trip with an outfitter at a discounted price. Usually those trips cost at least $2,000 per person. Check IOGA's Raft Idaho site to search for outfitters that run your favorite river and see if you can find an open seat. I highly recommend doing these trips ... they are a true trip-of-a-lifetime!

Fish on! Middle Fork native cutthroat trout 

Again, everyone will have their own level of comfort to be around mixed groups and crowds right now by the water. Hopefully everyone will do their part to keep our coronavirus infection rates to a minimum.

Have fun, be safe and stay healthy! 
- SS